Console Corner: Share and share alike – PS4 update heralds new era

Damien Lucas

This week has seen one of the most highly-anticipated console releases of the year, but there is no game involved.

For PlayStation 4 owners, though, the release of the 2.0 operating system update codenamed ‘Masamune’ got the reward for their patience yesterday (October 28).

Sony, which has seen more than 10 million PS4 units sold worlwide, announced the roll-out update to PS4 consoles worldwide to much fanfare last week.

The update includes a host of new features such as enhancements to live broadcasting which allowes PS4 owners to install a dedicated YouTube application offering the ability to upload your gameplay footage directly to it.

Other new features include adding themes to your system together with enhanced voice commands and the already officially announced USB music player.

It was one of the major letdowns of the original operating system that is was, like the PS3 start-up menus before it, uncustomisable while Xbox led the way in that respect as more of a multimedia hub.

The fact you can now play music on the PS4 via USB may seem a bit backward thinking. But again it was one of the things that was sorely lacking that has been remedied – it shows Sony is listening and acting when necessary.

If you have a PS4 you can now insert flash hard drives into a spare USB slot and play music directly from them as you enjoy your favourite games.

Most intriguing of all, though, is that Masamune is also rolling out the highly anticipated Share Play feature that will allow gamers to create online local co-op games by inviting a friend to join your game, even if they don’t own a copy.

So perhaps one of your friends has a game and you’re not sure whether you want to take the £50 plunge or you only like playing that game online then you can essentially try before you buy.